Briefs

Esmod opening

SYDNEY: Australia's newest fashion college, ironically also the world's oldest, is set to throw open its doors to the general public early next month. Esmod Australia, which has converted a former industrial space in Surry Hills to house its new campus, will throw open its building for viewing from February 9 with open days at its Short Street campus set down for February 14 and 15. It will begin delivering the course curriculum from March 2. The campus is also home to the Darnell Collection of vintage couture clothing and accessories that will also be open to the public. For more: esmod.com.au

Thomas branches out

PERTH: Melbourne womenswear designer Anna Thomas has expanded her domestic presence by opening a new self-titled store in Perth. The store, Thomas' first independent foray into Western Australia, features an industrial theme with exposed concrete, spotted gum and stainless steel fixtures. Boasting a December opening, the store launched with Thomas' Tour-de-force collection for spring/summer 2008/09. It is the designer's fifth store with others in Melbourne, Hawksburn, Hawthorn and Brighton. Her eponymous label is also stocked in David Jones stores across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane.

Dress up

SYDNEY: Fashion and footwear label myPetsQuare has extended its quirky product offering beyond the obvious. Co-founders Angelique May-Bennett and Vicki Lee have created a unique range of cartoon swingtags as part of their autumn/winter 2009 collection. Dubbed 'Ra Ra Rasputin' and themed around Russian iconography, the collection will include garments with 3D swing tags which can be fashioned into cut-out dolls. The tags will also feature key items from the range, which can be cut out and tagged onto the dolls. The pair said it would continue the quirky branding strategy for future collections.

Council's new eyes

NATIONAL: Cancer Council Australia (CCA) Sunshades Eyewear and The Eyewear Company has won the rights to develop the Cancer Council Australia's 2009/10 range of sunglasses off nine-year incumbent Hagemeyer Brands. Sunshades Eyewear will take on the teen and adults categories and The Eyewear Company, the children's category. CCA said the chosen licensees held strong positions in the market and offered the group the opportunity to significantly increase its penetration into speciality and department stores. Retailers can expect to see a transition to the new ranges from June 2009.